Gwendolyne - Salomé

In 1970, Julio Iglesias represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Gwendolyne'. Salomé, who was one of the four winners in 1969 when she performed 'Vivo cantando', thought it was a good idea to record her own version of this song, and perhaps profit a little from the success that Iglesias might have with this song in Spain.

Unfortunately, Salomé's version doesn't come close to the subtle beauty of Iglesias' version; it is a bit bland to be honest. Still, with singles like this it is always interesting to add a bit of history to your collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 6768
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 August 2022
Tracks: 'Gwendolyne' / 'Llévatelo'

Parlez-vous Français - Baccara

I've only got two singles by Baccara in my collection, and they are both called 'Parlez-vous Français?'. One features the French version, the other presents the English version. I recently found out that there was also an extended version of the song, but bizarrely it was only ever released in Mexico. And, get this: it was pressed on various colours of vinyl. 

I ordered one copy of this 12" single, pressed on red vinyl, and not only does it feature an extended version of the song (incorporating both the French and English versions), the B-side features a version of that ole Doors classic 'Light my fire'. What's not to like? It is a very interesting addition to my collection. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 September 2022
Tracks: 'Parlez-vous Français? [extended]' / 'Baby, why don't you reach out? Light my fire'

Verona - Koit Toome & Laura

It's always nice when Eurovision songs are released on 7" or CD-single. Somehow, a 12" release is always a bit of a pain - especially when a song is released on 12" only. This was the case with one of the best entries in the Eurovision Song Contest of 2017 - 'Verona' by Koit Toome and Laura from Estonia. For a long time, this 12" single was only available for premium prices, and sad to say, the price hasn't really dropped in the years that followed.

Still, this particular 12" single was worth obtaining, because it offers six different versions of the song. I can't help but wonder why this was not released on a CD-single as well, but we know by now that record companies are not interested in consumer preferences. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 21 September 2022
Tracks: 'Verona (radio version), 'Verona (Italian version)', 'Verona (Moon Taxi remix)' / 'Verona (Eurovision 2017 version)', 'Verona (club remix)', 'Verona (1985 version)'

Popcorn - Danny Danova

Danny Danova is the stage name of Danny Boddin, a Belgian producer and keyboard player, who released a couple of singles in the mid-1970s. Not much is known about this man, unfortunately. 

This single is a bit of a strange one: it features the wellknown Kingsley composition Popcorn, as performed by Danova, but it is released in the 'Golden 45's' series, which is all about re-releasing old hits. Except: there is no other (original) release of Danova's 'Popcorn'! The B-side, 'Pagoda', was originally released in 1975. Both tracks are very enjoyable, with spacey sounds and great melodies. It's just weird that some artists seem to have vanished off the face of the earth...

My collection: 7" single no. 6767
Found: Discogs.com, received 18 August 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'Pagoda'

Verão - Carlos Mendes

I already owned 'A festa da vida', Carlos Mendes' second Eurovision song from 1972, but six years earlier he represented Portugal for the first time with the song 'Verão'. The song, composed by Pedro Vaz Osório and written by José Alberto Diogo, was about a man with a broken heart who realises that summer is over and he can’t wait until summer starts again. It was a very short song, clocking in at just over two minutes. 

This EP presents three more songs, of which 'I'll get over it' is the most enjoyable. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6766
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 August 2022
Cost: €6
Tracks: 'Verão', 'Nobody wants you when you're down and out' / 'I'll get over it', 'Mensagem'

Ensemble - Ilanit

It's impossible to find copies of Ilanit's two Eurovision songs in Hebrew, so for now I have to be satisfied with versions in other languages, which are sometimes available for more affordable prices. Like for instance this one: 'Ensemble' is the French version of  'Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim', the song she performed at the 1977 edition when she represented Israel for the second time.

The French translation was contributed by Patrick Loubié, who would also deliver a translation for the Turkish song 'Pet'r Oil' in 1980. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6765
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 August 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Ensemble' / 'Bon voyage bonne chance'

Dansevise - The Cousins

The Belgian band The Cousins formed in the late Fifties. They started under the name Les jeunes équipes, but inspired by their frequent performances in the dance club Les Cousins ​​near the Brussels Grand-Place, they changed the name to The Cousins. In 1960 the band was discovered by record executive Jean Kluger. They had a big hit that year with 'Kili Watch', which sold a million singles. The success of 'Kili Watch' caused disputes in the band over royalties. After composer Gustave Derese had registered the copyright of the gigantic hit with SABAM, he left the group. He later founded the less successful band The Killy Jacks. 

The Cousins continued their career but couldn't match the success of 'Kili Watch'. In 1963 they released this single, a cover version of the winning song of that year's Eurovision Song Contest, 'Dansevise'. It was an instrumental version. In 1966 the band broke up. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6763
Found: Discogs.com, received 12 August 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Dansevise' / 'Boomeranga'